The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the arrest of one of its staff members, Gift Eseeli, for allegedly stealing several lengths of armoured signal cables along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service corridor.
The Man O’ War Railway Command apprehended Eseeli at Rafa Yard after he was caught removing “50mm armoured signal cables” from the trackside installations. The stolen cables were recovered intact and handed over to the Nigerian Police Force for further investigation, according to an official statement signed by NRC Acting Spokesman, Callistus Unyimadu.
“The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation wishes to inform members of the public that operatives of the Man O’ War Railway Command apprehended one Gift Eseeli, an NRC employee, at Rafa Yard along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service corridor for alleged cable theft,” the statement read.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had removed several lengths of the critical cables before officers, led by Mr. Williams Agiake, intercepted and arrested him. The recovered items were promptly handed over to the police, which has now launched a full investigation into the incident.
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of NRC, condemned the act, stressing that railway infrastructure is a vital national asset. He emphasized that vandalism not only threatens the safety of passengers but also undermines the federal government’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s rail sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope infrastructure drive.
“Railway assets are national assets. Acts of vandalism endanger passengers’ safety and sabotage the infrastructure development initiatives of the current administration,” Dr. Opeifa said. He added that the NRC would prosecute any individual or group involved in such sabotage, including its own employees, without exceptions.
The Warri-Itakpe Train Service is a critical rail line linking southern and central Nigeria. Signal cables are essential for the safe operation of trains, as they help control train movements and prevent accidents. Theft of such equipment can lead to service disruptions and pose serious safety risks.
Cable theft has become a widespread problem across Nigeria’s transportation and utility sectors, often causing costly delays and losses. Authorities have been stepping up security measures and penalties to curb such criminal activities.
The NRC’s quick action in apprehending the suspect and recovering the cables sends a strong message to others involved in railway sabotage. It also highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation between security agencies and the public in protecting Nigeria’s critical infrastructure.
As the NRC continues to upgrade and expand the country’s rail network, ensuring the safety and security of its assets remains a top priority to provide reliable and safe transportation for Nigerians.
